The DDU welcomes the publication of long-awaited government proposals to streamline the way healthcare professionals are regulated. Reacting to the publication today of the government consultation on Regulating professionals, protecting the public John Makin, head of the DDU, said:
“For many years the DDU has been calling for the GDC to be given the powers necessary for it to be a more agile and efficient regulator. Many of the proposed reforms are centred around changes to the fitness to practise procedure. Being investigated by the regulator is stressful for dental professionals, so any reforms that can deliver a fairer and swifter process have the potential to be positive.
“While the GDC is not included in the first priority group for regulatory reform, we nevertheless note the government’s continued stance that it favours a reduction in the number of healthcare regulators. An independent review has been set up to examine this. The DDU is clear: we strongly believe that the GDC should remain the dedicated regulator of dental professionals. We will be making this point throughout these consultation exercises.
“These are complex issues, so we will be considering the fine print carefully and responding to the consultation on behalf of members.”
J&S Davis is delighted to bring you the latest solutions now available throughout the UK – the comprehensive restorative product portfolio from leading Swiss manufacturer Polydentia.
Having been developing and producing dental products in southern Switzerland for more than 40 years, Polydentia has earned a stella reputation among the European profession. It has remained a family business, being passed through the generations, all the while maintaining strong Swiss entrepreneurial values and a total commitment to the highest quality standards.
Within the restorative Polydentia range is an array of products designed to optimise restorative outcomes while improving patient comfort and streamlining the professional workflow. They make an ideal addition to the industry-leading solutions already available through J&S Davis in the UK. Products include Unica anterior, sectional matrices, splinting materials and junior restorative kits.
Unica anterior
Unica anterior offers a simple yet highly effective matrix solution to optimise outcomes of Class III, IV and V restorations, as well as direct composite veneers and shape modifications. It features a contoured shape that adapts to the tooth anatomy and facilitates the restoration of both proximal and cervical margins in one go. The placement wings further encourage fast and efficient matrix positioning, while the Unica anterior allows visualisation of the final shape before the clinician has even started. All of this helps to save time, improves the patient and practitioner experience, and optimises the restorative result.
The Unica anterior matrix can be used alongside other Polydentia solutions for an easy workflow, including the myQuickmatrix Forceps, myWedge and myCustom resin.
Sectional Matrices
The range of Polydentia sectional matrices available are ideal for Class II restorations, with different products designed for various clinical indications. For example, the myClip 2.0 can be placed with just your fingers – no tools needed – and it optimises separation forces to ensure excellent contact points. The myQuickmat Forte and myQuickmat Classico are ideal solutions for tighter contacts or gentle tooth separation respectively, each designed with LumiContrast matrices to increase contrast and reduce glare effect when using loupes or microscopes. Completing the range is the myCustom Rings kit – designed for an innovative Style Italiano technique that enables the recreation of pre-existing interproximal anatomy.
Splinting
Also manufactured by Polydentia and now available through J&S Davis are the scientifically and clinical tested Fiberglass Splinting ribbons for splinting, retainers and reinforcements. These provide a biocompatible alternative to splints with metal retainers for improved aesthetics, versatility and comfort. The fibreglass ribbons are pre-impregnated with bonding for ease of use and a simple workflow. They are ideal for the fabrication of dental splints used to stabilise teeth due to many various reasons from trauma to periodontal disease. The splints can also be utilised for the temporary repositioning of extracted anterior teeth and those being reconstructed in composite. Resealable packaging and specifically designed Clip&Splint fixation clips provide added advantages.
Junior kit
Designed especially for smaller mouths, the myJunior kit from Polydentia provides a sectional matrix solution for paediatric dentistry. Suitable for deciduous teeth, the solutions optimise separation forces for flawless contact surfaces and outstanding restorative outcomes in child patients. MyClipJunior offers an all-in-one sectional matrix with no need for forceps for a less intimidating patient experience, while the myRingJunior system is perfect for deciduous teeth. Both options come with autoclavable and replaceable plastic myTines Junior extremities for convenience and cost-efficiency.
The right products for the job
As with any type of dental procedure, selecting the right tools for the job is essential when looking to optimise aesthetics, function and durability of restorative outcomes, while also enhancing the patient experience and professional workflow. The restorative portfolio from Polydentia affords a solution for various clinical indications. Should you have any questions about the solutions or how to make the most of them, the team from J&S Davis are here to help.
Dr Bilgee Jigjid, and experienced clinician from the USA, comments on the development journey available through IAS Academy:
I met Dr Tif Qureshi in 2010 when he first introduced the Inman Aligner in the USA during Chicago Midwinter. That was the moment when I decided to follow the concept of tooth and time saving treatment options for my patients who would like to change their smile by simply aligning their anterior teeth and cut away tooth structure.
“IAS Academy offers many orthodontic courses such as Inman aligner, ClearSmile Aligner, Ortho-restorative course, ClearSmile Brace and Advanced fixed orthodontic training, enabling your development. Moreover, they have excellent online mentorship support, which helps all graduates to start their ortho treatment right away with great confidence. I had a chance to finish all these courses by 2011.
“I highly recommend other clinicians join this great Academy and start a journey of offering different smile makeover options and not only conventional crown/veneer preps.”
For more information on IAS Academy membership and upcoming training courses, please visit www.iasortho.com, email courses@iasortho.com or call 01932 336470 (Press 1)
Dental nurses will now be able to pay their ARF of £114 pa in four Direct Debit payments of £28.50 per quarter. To take advantage of the option in 2021, dental nurses need to log in to eGDC from early May and select the quarterly Direct Debit option no later than 31 May 2021. Further details will follow once the system has been set up.
“BADN have been lobbying the GDC for some years to allow payment by instalments, but the answer was always that this would be too costly, and additionally that it was not possible under the current legal framework” said BADN President Jacqui Elsden.
“Dental nurses are the lowest paid members of the dental team, and many work part time. Our recent salary survey1 shows that the majority earn between £10k and £20k a year, and that 54% have to pay their own ARF, so a single large payment of £114 every July was a financial burden for many dental nurses, particularly recently.
“£114 per year is still too high a fee for dental nurses, particularly given the circumstances of the last year when many dental nurses were not paid their full salaries (or even, in some cases, paid at all), but the GDC refused a request by BADN in 2020 to lower the ARF, even temporarily. We are however pleased that they have at least finally agreed to one of our proposals by allowing dental nurses to pay the ARF in instalments.
“We hope that now the GDC have acknowledged the financial burden the ARF places on dental nurses, they will give further consideration to BADN’s two other proposals: that the ARF be lowered to a more realistic figure for dental nurses, and that a lower ARF be implemented for all dental professionals, not just dental nurses, who work part time.”
As a dental hygienist or dental therapist, it’s important to have your voice heard in the industry, especially when there are changes to be made.
So, why not become a member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT)?
The BSDHT constantly campaigns for beneficial change within the industry, and as the largest body of dental hygienists and dental therapists in the UK, is well placed to represent the voices of members and make these changes a reality.
From changes to Exemptions to campaigns for dental nurse support for dental hygienists and dental therapists, the BSDHT is always fighting for the future of the profession.
Join the conversation today by becoming a member!
For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk
The dental care of children in the UK with craniofacial conditions needs to be integrated with their overall NHS management and treatment says Sarah McKaig, President of BSPD. A team member in the West Midlands supra regional craniofacial unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, she was, until recently, the only paediatric dentist working within a specialised craniofacial unit.
Mrs McKaig has been on a mission to highlight the oral health needs of children and young people with a craniofacial deformity since she became our President in 2019. Her long-term aim is that a national pathway for this cohort of children with complex oral health needs should be established and funded.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mrs McKaig stayed on as President for an additional year and is now resuming her Presidential tour of the branches, a BSPD tradition. She has visited the Wales branch study day as well as the Merseyside BSPD branch to deliver her lecture: Meeting unmet needs: a voyage of discovery.
In the course of the lecture, she outlined craniofacial conditions along with the diverse oral health needs of her young patients. She explores the dental care of these patients drawing on over a decade of experience. She described the responses to questionnaires sent to parents which demonstrated there is a huge variation in how children with craniofacial conditions access dental care and that they were all at high risk of developing dental caries. In a bid to provide further information to parents and carers an information leaflet had been developed to provide key oral health advice.
Around one fifth of children she sees on the clinic have untreated dental decay. She said: “We realised we were not capturing these children early enough and there is a need to establish their dental care pre-school.”
Prior to the pandemic, Mrs McKaig said, it was the intention to roll out the audit to the other highly specialised craniofacial units. “Although other units did not
have a dentist involved, they were enthusiastic about being involved with the audit with a view to building a better picture on the dental needs for this group of patients.”
Having for years been the only Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry working within a highly specialised craniofacial unit, there is now a second person, Joanna May, a Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry based at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool.
“Moving forward, we want to understand what the national picture looks like and how we can support one another in developing a robust preventative strategy and dental pathway for the management of children with craniofacial conditions. I hope that by engaging with the people and organisations involved we can understand the challenges and move ahead.”
She is making virtual presentations to the BSPD South East branch on April 21§st at 6.30 and to the Midlands Branch study day on June 15th.
Taken from his latest webinar ‘Let’s talk digital – Azento™ Implant Workflow’ Dr Marcus Dagnelid discusses how the digital implant workflow, together with the Azento™ single tooth replacement solution, signals a major step forward for implant dentistry.
The challenges
By looking at the latest research and the cases flowing through my clinics, the single implant patient is by far the most challenging and in such cases, we must make the right decisions in respect of all aspects of the treatment process.
For single tooth replacement the correct position of the implant guides the whole restorative phase, creating support and stability of the peri-implant bone and soft tissue, both of which are essential for a functional restoration and an aesthetic outcome for the surrounding tissues.
There is sometimes a temptation to take shortcuts at this stage, to use cheaper ‘copy’ abutments that claim to match the original. However, components must always match. A precise fit is essential and a misplaced implant can lead to many complications including catastrophic failure of the implant, screw loosening, chipping or fracture of the abutment. Such complications are completely avoidable however, as today we have new technology which will prevent any of this from happening.
The digital implant workflow
The digital implant workflow, incorporating the latest digital implant software, gives predictability to implant placement. Azento™ from Dentsply Sirona is a new and complete digital implant solution for single tooth replacement, streamlining the digital implant workflow to just three clear steps: Scan; Approve; Treat.
Using Azento, all that is required is an initial CBCT and intraoral scan. The resulting data is merged and then uploaded to the Azento case management portal, after which a precise customised treatment plan is returned for review and approval. This allows the clinician to design the outcome for the specific patient, whether that’s immediate loading or specific contouring – the clinician makes the clinical choice.
Once the case is approved a box arrives within days from Dentsply Sirona that includes a surgical guide, all necessary patient-specific drills and case-specific Astra Tech™ EV implant and an Atlantis® custom healing abutment. There is also an option to have an Atlantis temporary restoration.
Time to invest
Guided surgery was previously a huge investment. It required different software and licences, multiple drills and a large inventory. Plus, there was a steep learning curve. Together this meant the overall cost and time involved put many practitioners off pursuing implant surgery.
With Azento only minimal investment is required. Single use drills mean no surgical trays are required and with patient-specific implants and healing components supplied for every case, there is no need for a stock inventory. A temporary crown can be supplied by Azento or the core file can be sent so the restoration can be finished in practice or in the laboratory of your choice.
Why choose Azento?
Based on years of proven research and experience, the Azento dental implant procedure is focused on precise implant placement which is prosthetically driven and digitally planned. Saving time in each clinical step, the digital implant workflow means less planning time, less ordering time and less stock requirements. This results in shorter treatment time and predictable outcomes, which benefits both patients and clinicians alike.
Azento:
Makes it easier to work as a team with referring general practitioners
Azento makes digital implant dentistry extremely efficient and consistently enables predictable outcomes. With increased accuracy, patient comfort and reduced treatment times, Azento adapts precisely to you, your practice and your patients.
The ‘Let’s Talk Digital’ Azento webinar with Dr Marcus Dagnelid is available here.
To find out more about the Azento complete digital implant solution please visit dentsplysirona.com/azentouk or call 01932 838 343.
You can visit the online Dentsply Sirona Academy for a wide range of education resources, video tutorials, courses and CPD webinars at dentsplysirona.com/ukeducation.
Earn Dentsply Sirona Rewards on all your implant solution purchases at dentsplysirona.com, all the solutions you need under one roof.
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The pandemic has been a difficult time financially for many dental professionals, so this new option to split the payment into four, more manageable, quarterly direct debits of £28.50 for dental hygienists and dental therapists is likely to make a considerable difference for a number of individuals.
The Society is glad that the regulator has listened to the concerns of the BSDHT and its members, and has made this more flexible option available. Hopefully this measure will make a difference for many dental hygienists and dental therapists and in the future.
Dentistry has certainly experienced its fair share of challenges in the past year, with many more yet to come as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the UK government’s vaccination programme has renewed hope that we will, indeed, win the war against the virus, the road to recovery remains a long one for many businesses, including dental practices. The uncertainty of these times can only make it more difficult to stay positive and motivated as a dental professional. Yet doing so is extremely important if we are to continue delivering the high quality dentistry that many patients so desperately need.
The many rewards that can be gained from being a dentist are what make this an incredibly appealing career pathway. The ability to relieve patients from pain and improve the health and/or appearance of their smile can be hugely gratifying indeed, enabling you to achieve high job satisfaction and productivity. However, the nature of dentistry means that it can be all too easy for practice life to become repetitive and isolating, especially when there are time constraints and targets to meet. This can make an already high-pressure working environment even more stressful, which may impede your ability to remain engaged with your work.
Indeed, a recent survey of UK dentists carried out by Dental Protection revealed increasing levels of burnout amongst respondents, with half indicating that they had considered leaving the profession for reasons of personal wellbeing.[1] These results underscore how important it is to maintain motivation in order to achieve a fulfilling career in dentistry, where you are able to continuously progress and, therefore, improve the standard of care provided. Given the current health climate, exercising regularly, following a nutritious diet and making time to connect with loved ones – restrictions permitting, of course – is more important than ever, and can ensure a much-needed boost in motivational energy.
Motivation can also come from moving beyond your comfort zone. This can involve learning and experimenting with new techniques that you could apply to everyday practice, or broadening your offerings with access to sought-after procedures such as orthodontics, professional tooth whitening and composite bonding. You may also find renewed enthusiasm for dentistry by advancing into a particular field. Implant dentistry, for instance, has been gaining momentum in recent years, especially as implants can offer superior function and aesthetics to that of traditional restorations such as dentures, making them highly popular among patients.
This is not to say that you must invest in new facilities, equipment and comprehensive surgical training in order to provide dental implants. On the contrary, you can choose to simply restore the implant following a referral to a trusted clinician for the surgical aspect of treatment. Of course, completing implant restorations to an exceptional standard still requires an investment in further training in order to gain the necessary skills, knowledge and experience. Most implant restoration courses typically combine theory with practice, and ensure delegates benefit from on-going professional support, even after course completion.
Moreover, the right implant restoration course will introduce you to experienced dentists in the field, who you can refer to for implant surgery, a second opinion or even mentorship as you grow your implant services. With a reliable referral partner at your disposal, you will be better prepared to navigate the ever-evolving world of implant dentistry, and stay abreast of the latest industry insights and developments. Your chosen referral partner can also act as a sounding board for you to share ideas, which can facilitate improved collaboration for an even more enhanced result with each case referred.
Nevertheless, choosing the most suitable implant restoration course is vital in order to maximise your time and investment. Ten Dental+Facial’s dedicated Implant Restoration Course (IRC) is ideal for dentists with little to no experience in the field. It teaches the theory and practice of restoring dental implants through an exciting, module-based programme taught over one year. Upon completion, delegates will be able to effectively diagnose, treatment plan and restore implants competently and confidently in their own practice, with additional support provided by Ten Dental+Facial through its award-winning referral service. The IRC also provides the foundation learning for delegates to build on their expertise with further training.
Dentistry is and has always been an incredibly rewarding but demanding profession. Under the current circumstances, it is understandable that you may be finding it difficult to stay positive and motivated in day-to-day practice. Rest assured that you are not alone and that there are various ways to reignite your passion for dentistry. Getting involved in other dental disciplines could be the new challenge you need for inspiration to strike and ensure you remain driven in fulfilling your professional aspirations. Consequently, you are more likely to enjoy and appreciate your work to the fullest, which will be reflected by patients’ overall satisfaction with the treatment you provide them.
Unica anterior offers a simple yet highly effective matrix solution to optimise outcomes of Class III, IV and V restorations, as well as direct composite veneers and shape modifications. It features a contoured shape that adapts to the tooth anatomy and facilitates the restoration of both proximal and cervical margins in one go. The placement wings further encourage fast and efficient matrix positioning, while the Unica anterior allows visualisation of the final shape before the clinician has even started. All of this helps to save time, improves the patient and practitioner experience, and optimises the restorative result.
Junior kit
